Apparatus for controlling electric current



April 9, 1929. G. H. HART 1,708,618

APPARATUS FORy CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CURRENT Filed Aug. 4.. 1924 3 Sheets-sheet 1 April 9, 1929. G. H. H ART 1,708,618

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLINGLEGTRIC CURRENT Filed Aug. 4, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet' 2 April 9, 1929. G. H. HART 1,708,618

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CURRENT Filed Aug. 4, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 :Jn/vanto@ y Wbb@ Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CURRENT.

Application led August 4, 1924. Serial IIa-730,085.

This invention relates to apparatus for controlling the opening and closing f an electric circuit, and has as its aim to provide an apparatus of thisl sort having various features of novelty and advantage.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved timing mechanism by means 0f` Other objectswill be in part obvious andv in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter. I

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

`In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. '1 is a front View of the timing mechanism;

, Fig. 2 is a view taken vertically and centrally through the mechanism shown 1n Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a front View of the timing mechanism with the casing removed and with a @portion of the dial broken away, some 0f the parts being illustrated by dotted lines. The mechanism is illustrated as being so set that a cooking period'of four hours may be obtained;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the mechanism set to obtain a cooking period of an `hour and a half after four hours and a half have elapsed;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but with the dial and associated parts removedv to show the spring fingers of the opening and closing switches; .s

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a bottom edge view of what is leach twenty-four hours,

shown in Fig. closing switch omitted;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a jumper which may be employed when the timing mechanism is removed from the system;

Fig. 9 is a sectional viewof the jumper shown in Fig. 8;

Figs 10, 11 and 12, respectively, show the dial; the disk carrying the circuit closing member; 'and the rear disk for controlling the operative length of the closing member.

Referring to the drawings, to the timing mechanism designated generallyby the letter E, may be housed within a cover 76 of any desired shape. This mechanism includes a clock or recorder movement 77 which is not shown in detail, as the specific construction thereof is immaterial, it being. suicient to state that it may have a train of gears (not shown) and a spring 78 for driving the train. In the present instance, this, recorder movement is illustrated as having a main shaft 79 connected by a one-wav clutch 8O of a ratchet, roller or other type to a driven shaft 81 to which one end of the spring 78 is connected. The spring 78 and the clutch 80 are diagrammatically illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. When the shaft 81 is vrotated clockwise, the spring is Wound up, and when the train is 'driven by the spring, the shaft 81 is driven counterclockwise one complete revolution or at any other rate depending on the selected markings on the disk to be hereinafter described.

Secured to the forward end of the sliell of the clock is a plate or base member 83 carrying four terminal strips or plugs 84, 85, 86 and 87. The extreme plugs 84 and 87 are adapted to engage the spring terminals 82 and are adapted to be electrically connected by what, for convenience, is termed the closing7 switch. This switch includes a pair of the contacts or spring fingers 88 and a circuit closing member 89, the latter being shown, for illustrative purposes, as having the form of a metal plate or segment carried by a .disk 90 of insulating material. The plugs 85 and 86 are adapted to engage terminals 82 and 82", respectively. The terminals 82, 82 and 82 are in the form ofI U-shaped springs mounted'on a suitable block 201 fixed to the range. It will be clear'that the timing mechanism may be readily removed by unfastening the sameand then slipping the plugs 84,

3 with the spring fingers of theetc., out of engagement with the respective terminals 82, etc. The circuit between the plugs 85 and 86 is adapted to be closed by what may be referred to as an opening switch including a pair of overlapping `fingers 91 andan actuating member 92, the latter being in the form of a pin or stud carried by the disk 90 just in advance of the forward edge 89 of the plate 89. The disk 90 is supported between, and hasa limited angular adjustment relative to, a dial 93 and a disk 94 of insulating material, the latter having an opening 95 adapted to expose the circuit closing plate 89 for engagement with the switch fingers 88. The dial 93 and the disk i 94 are rigidly connected together as, for instance, by means of rivets 96 so as to rotate in unison, there being a spacing washer 200 between the disk 94 and dial to accommodate and form a bearing for the disk 90. The dial is provided on its front face with the numeral 1, 2, etc., chronologically arranged counterclockwise. The unit, including the dial 93 and the disk 94, is angularly adjustable on the shaft 81 and is adapted to rotate with that shaft when the clock mechanism rotates the latter in a counterclockwise direction. To this end, the rivets 96 connect the unit to a flange 97 of a sleeve 98 connected to the shaft 81 by a friction clutch. rlhis clutch may include the flange 97 and a ring 99 splined to the shaft 81 and normally urged against the flange by a coil spring 100. 1f desired, there may be interposed between the flange and the ring 99 a lining 101.

r1`he clock or recorder mechanism is wound up, the dial 93 and the disk 94 are angularly adjusted relative to a ixed pointer 105 so as to set the mechanism to break the current at a predetermined time, and the disk 90, carrying the circuit closing member 89, is angularly adjusted relative to the dial and disk 94 so as to set the mechanism to throw the closing switch on at any predetermined time, by turning a single handle or knob 106. This handle is mounted on the sleeve 98 and is normally urged againstv the glass plate 107 by a coil spring 108, the outer end of which abuts against the washer 109 secured on the outer end of the shaft 81 by a screw 110. rThe handle is connected to the disk 90 by a pin 111 secured to this disk and extending onto a recess in the handle, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. rllhe pin extends through an arcuate slot 112 in the dial and the disk 94 may have a corresponding slot 113 to accommodate the rear end of the pin. 115 designates an indicator connected to the disk 90 so as to be adjusted therewith and thereby indicate the setting of the circuit closing member relative to the dial. rllhis indicator is positioned between the dial and the glass plate 107, is ournalled on the sleeve 98, and is connected to the disk 90 by the pin 111.

1n the present illustrative disclosure, the

moaeie arrangement is such that the closing switch may be maintained closed for a maximum period of four hours, but it is, of course, understood that any maximum period may be adopted or other. A. maximum cooking period of four hours having been assumed, the length of the slot 112 in the dial is such that the disk 90 may be adjusted relative to the dial and the disk 94 a maximum angular distance which is indicated by four hours on the dial. The circuit closing member 89 and the opening 95 for uncovering the circuit closing member are so positioned and arranged that the circuit closing member will engage, and close the circuit between, the spring contacts 88 when the indicator 115 registers with the pointer 105 and the rear edge 95 of the opening 95 will break the current when the Zero mark of the dial has moved counterclockwise into registry with the pointer 105. since the circuit closing fingers 88 are diametrically opposite the pointer 105, the forward edge 89 of the circuit closing member is on a diametrical line passing through the pointer of. the indicator 115, and t-he rear edge 95 of the opening 95 is on a diametrical line passing through the Zero mark of the dial. For the purpose of preventing continued rotation of the disks after the cooking period has elapsed, and the closing switch has been opened, the disk 94 is provided with a stop or projection 117 in registry with the zero niark of the dial and this stop is adapted to engage the pointer 105.

llt may be desired to render the automatic time control inoperative and maintain the closing switch closed. To this end,'the disk 94 has an opening 118 rearwardly of the rear edge 95 of the opening 95, and this opening 118 is at all times within the compass of the circuit closing member 89. The .disk 94 has a second stop 119 diametrically opposite the opening 118. rilliat portion of the dial adjacent the stop 119 may be appropriately marked as, for instance, Cooking without clock, as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. lWhen vthe stop 119 is in engagement with the pointer 105, the dial and disks are held against rot-ation and the spring lingers 88 of the closing switch extend through opening 118 and engage the plate 89 so that the closing switch is on. r1`he stops 117 and 119 are formed so that when the handle 106 is rotated clockwise, these stops may ride beneath the pointer 105.

The operation 0f the apparatus is briefly as follows: Assuming that it is twelve oclock noon, and a housewife wishes to cook a dish for an hour and a half and serve the same at six oclock, she would calculate that a period of six hours is to elapse between the time of vsetting and the end of the cooking period, -and she would, therefore, turn the handle 1n the present instance,

. scribed, the train ot' 106 clockwise until the numeral 6 of the dial registered with the pointer 1.05. It will be seen that when the handle is turned clock- Wise, the unit, including the dial 93 and disk 94, is rotated clockwise through the connection formed by the indicator 115 and the pin 111, the latter being in engagement with the rear edge of the handle is thus turned, the actuating member or stud 92 carried by the disk 90 will engage the iingers 91 of the opening switch. After the dial has thus been set, the handle 106 is rotated counterclockwise (without moving the dial) to move the indicator 115 into registry with that mark on the'dial which indicates an hour and a half, that is, to the position shown in Fig. 4.

The apparatus, having been set as degears of the clo'ck will rotate the shaft 8l, the disk 90, the dial 93, and the disk 94 counterclockwise. When four hours and a haltl have elapsed, i. e. at 4:30 p. m., the forward' end of the plate 89 will engage and close the circuit between the spring fingers 88 of the closing switch. F or the next hour and a half, that is, between 4 :30 and 6 oclock, which is the assumed desired cooking period, the member 89 continues to close the closing switch so that the current remains on the heating elements of a range in the event that the clock is used in thatcombination. l/Vhen six hours have elapsed, the rear edge of the opening 95 in thedisk 90 will engage the spring fingers 88 of the closing switch, thereby preventing further engagement of the plate 89 with the fingers 88 and resulting in throwingthe current off of the heating elements. At the same time that the disk 90 separates the plate 89 from the spring fingers 88, the stop 117 on the disk 94 will engage the pointer 105 so that continued rotation of the dial and the parts associated therewith is stopped.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I have shown a jumper which may be employed to bridge the two spring terminals 82 when thetiming mechanism is removed from v.the range, as, for instance, when it is desired to repair the timing mechanism. This bridge may be in the form of a metallic member 130 provided with an insulating handle 131.

It is obvious that while'my improved clock is described as being used in connection with a range, it has other applications.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description orv shown in the accompanying drawings l'shall b e interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that the language used in thefollowing claims is intended to slot 112. Also, when the cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein describedand all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a time'switch, a clock-like mechanism having a driven shaft, a switch, a dial on said shaft, a clutch between. said shaft and dial permitting of angular adjustment of said dial, means associated with said dial for opening the switch at any predetermined time, an indicator' angularly adjustable relative to said shaft and dial, means connected to the indicator for controlling the closing of the switch at any predetermined time, and a single handle connectedto said indicator for winding the clock mechanism, angularly adjusting the dial and adjusting said indicator relative to the dial.'

2. In a time switch, a clock-like mechanism, a switch having a pair of contacts, a

dial drivenby said mechanism, an indicator angularly adjustable relative tol said dial and movable therewith whenvthe dial is rotated by said mechanism,`a member connected to said indicator for closing the circuit between said contacts, for determining the effective length of said member.

3. Ina time switch, a clock-like mechanism, a switch having a pair of contacts, a Icircuit closing member rotated by said mechanism and adapted to vclose the circuit between said contacts,-a dial rotated by and angularly adjustable krelative to said mechanism, an indicator to which said circuit closing member is connected, said indicator being angularly adjustable ,relative to said dial and rotatable in unison therewith by said mechanism, an element connnected tov said dial and interposed between said contacts and circuit closing member and adapted to control the effective lengths of said circuit closing member, a fixed pointer cooperating with said dial, and means for adjusting said dial and indicator.

4. ln a time switch, a'clock-like mechanism, a switch having a circuit closing member driven by and angularly adjustable relative to said ymechanism and adapted to close the circuit between said contacts, a dial adjustable relative to said mechanism and adapted to be rotated thereby, an indicator fixed to said circuit closing member and cooperating with and angularly adjustable relative to said dial, and a disk fixed to said dial and having an opening through which said circuit closing member is adapted to engage-said contacts.

5. In la time switch, a clock-like mechanism having a driven shaft, a switch having contacts, a disk rotated by'said shaft and having an opening, a second disk in front of, and

angularly adjustable relative to, said 4first pair of contacts, a

and means carried by said dial nism,

disk and having a plate adaptedto engage said contacts through `said opening,.means connected to the first disk for indicating the setting thereof, an indicator connected -to the second disk and cooperating' with said first indicating means, and means for setting said disks. A

6. In a time switch, a clock-like mechanism, a switch having contacts, a unit including a dial and a disk driven by said mechanism, a second disk between, and angularly -adjustable relative to, said dial and first disk and `having a circuit closing plate, said first disk having an opening through which said plate may engage said contacts, an indicator fixed to said second disk and angularly adjustable relative to said dial and rotated in unison therewith by said mechanism, and means for setting said dial and indicator.

7. In a time switch, a clock-like mechanism having a driven shaft, a switch having contacts, a sleeve on said shaft, a clutch between said sleeve and shaft, a unit fixed to said sleeve and including a dial and a disk, the latter having an opening, a second disk between and adjustable relative to said dial andfirst disk and having a circuit closing plate adapted to engage said contacts through said opening of said first disk, an indicator on said sleeve in front of said dial, said dial having an arcuate slot, a pin connecting said second disk and indicator and extending through said slot, and a handle connected to said pin.

8. In a time switch, a clock-like mechaa switch having contacts, a unit including a dial and a' disk driven by said mechanism, a second disk between, and angularly adjustable relative to, said dial and first disk and having a circuit closing plate, said first disk having an opening through which said plate may engage said contacts, an indicator fixed to said second disk and angularly adjustable relative to said dial and rotated in unison therewith by said mechanism, means for setting said dial and indicator, a fixed pointer cooperating with said indicator and constituting a stop, and a projection on4 said first disk adapted to engage said pointer to prevent further rotation of said dial and disks when the same have reached a predetermined position.

9. In-a tlme switch, a clock-like mechanism, a switch havingfa pair of contacts, a

, circuit closing member rotated by said mechanism and adapted tol close the circuit between said contacts, a dialv rotated by and angularly adjustable relative to said mechanism, an indicator to which said circuit closing member is connected, said indicator being angularly adjustable relative to said dial and rotatable in unison therewith by said mechanism, an element connected to said dial and interposed between said contacts and circuit closing member and adapted to control the eective lengths of said circuit closing member, a fixed pointer cooperating with said dial, means for adjusting said dial and indicator, said element vhaving an opening through which said circuit closing member is adapted to engage said contacts, and a stop connected to the dial and adapted to engage said pointer to hold said element in a position where said circuit closing member engages said contacts through said opening.

10. In a time switch, aclock-like mechanism, a first switch, a second switch, a dial rotated by said mechanism and having fixed thereto means for opening said first switch at any predetermined time, an indicator angularly adjustable relative to said dial and movable in unison with the same when the dial is rotated by said mechanism, said indicator having means connected thereto for throwing the first switch on at any predetermined time, and means connected to said indicator for momentarily closing said second switch before said first switch is closed.

11. In a time switch, a clock-like mechanism; a closing switch and an opening switch,-

a disk rotated by said mechanism and having an opening, a second disk angularly adjustable relative to, and positioned in front of, said first disk and having a plate adapted to close said first switch through said opening, said second disk having an actuating member in advance of the forward end of said plate and adapted to .close said opening switch, means connected to the first disk for indicating the position thereof, an indicator fixed to the second disk, and means for setting said disks.

12. ln a time switch, a clock-like mechanism having a driven shaft, a switch, a sleeve on said shaft, a friction clutch between said sleeve and shaft, ay dial carried by said sleeve and having means for opening said switch at any predetermined time, a disk having frictional engagement with said dial so as to rotate therewith when the dial is driven by said shaft, said disk having means controlling the throwing on-of said switch at any predetermined time, an indicator on said sleeve in front of said dial, said dial having an arcuate slot, apin extending through said slot and connecting said disk to said indicator, a handle connected to said pin, and means for limiting the extent of rotation of said dial and indicator under the influence of said mechanism.

v GEORGE HEGEMAN HART. 

